Christmas films: there might be some truth to stories about hometown romances, according to research

By Viren Swami, Professor of Social Psychology, Anglia Ruskin University

The festive season seems to be a good time for love, or so many Christmas films would have us believe. One incredibly popular trope is “the return” – where the main character, usually with a successful career in the city, returns to their hometown for the festive period.

In their rustic homely surroundings, they come to realise that their life as a singleton in the city has been a sham, fall in love with some kind-hearted local hero or an old flame, et voilà – we have the magic of Christmas!

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